A.I. duPont Hospital restricts patient visits due to flu

Officials at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington are restricting visits to patients in an effort to protect them from the flu.

Hospital officials said Tuesday that visitors under the age of 13 will not be permitted on inpatient units. The restrictions do not apply to the hospital emergency department or other outpatient areas.

Hospital officials also noted that they are screening all visitors to the neonatal intensive care unit for flu symptoms, giving masks to patients who exhibit signs or symptoms of respiratory illnesses, and installing cough stations that include hand sanitizer, masks and other methods to prevent the spread of germs.

State public health officials said Tuesday that the flu activity in Delaware remains elevated and widespread, with 868 cases confirmed statewide this flu season.